Tag Archives: Grains

With all the news coverage of the US government “shutdown” you would think the sky is falling. In truth about 85% of the US Federal government is still operating normally. I think we would do well to remember that private citizens are what keep everything going, and that government should serve our needs, not the other way around.

We still have to get up and go to work in the morning, pay our bills, take care of our families, and all the other things that life involves on a daily basis. So it goes with health as well. We are the stewards of our own health, and if we do not take care of ourselves, no “healthcare plan” whether private or government run will matter.

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Our health is in OUR hands. Always remember that, and you will go a long way towards making sure that you have the health to enjoy your life fully and for a long time! One of the most important aspects of health is how your colon (also called the gut) functions.

Since certain neurotransmitters are actually made in your intestinal tract, “gut health” can affect your emotions, and thinking as well as how you physically feel. So as you can see it’s vitally important to have it functioning optimally!

There are several things we need to get this right. One is the right type and amount of fiber, and the other is probiotic bacteria. Click on the links below to check out my web pages on these two topics.

Health of your stomach and colon is the key to overall health for several reasons. You need to absorb and assimilate your food for the nutrients your body needs. If your GI tract isn’t healthy, you can get needed nutrients from your foods.

The longer the “transit time” it takes for waste to exit the colon, the longer you are exposed to toxins that can create cancerous conditions in the body. Think about it, you wouldn’t keep your garbage in your kitchen for months, you would throw it out as soon as possible, because keeping it around is unsanitary.

The same can be said for eliminating waste from your body. It needs to happen every day, and be as complete as possible. An adequate amount of both soluble and insoluble fiber is essential to this process.

An example of insoluble fiber is Psyllium seed husks. These absorb water and provide a “bulking” effect to waste in the colon.

An example of soluble fiber is fruit like apples which also assist in elimination though stimulation of peristalsis (the process of moving the bowels). By the way, the bowels should be moved at least once per day if not more.

I have heard doctors tell their patients that this is not important. In the case of one gentleman I know, his doctor told him that a bowel movement every few days was “normal” for him. This is incredibly bad medical advice.

I have had good luck with just plain Psyllium husks in water, but of course your experience may be different. Whole grains like oat groats, quinoa, or ground flaxseeds can help provide the fiber that’s beneficial to the colon.

Another factor that’s important is the bacteria that is found in the colon. If it’s the normal beneficial bacteria then you will have normal bowel function, and neither be constipated or suffer from diarrhea.

You can get this beneficial bacteria either from probiotic supplements or dairy products like yogurt or kefir. Commercial yogurts and kefirs lose much of their benefit from pasteurization. While I think the dangers of unpasteurized products are overblown, I can’t advise you to consume them for reasons of liability.

It’s safest to use a probiotic supplement or fermented dairy products as your probiotic source. Those of you who get my newsletter know that I am an advocate of the blood type diet.

When you buy these fermented dairy products, look for ones that advertise that they contain “live cultures.” This indicates they will have sufficient bacteria to be of help to you. Avoid products that contain a lot of sugar, or artificial sweeteners for obvious reasons.

Look for a live-cultured plain yogurt, preferably made from goat milk or a pasture raised cow’s milk. For kefir, the same rules follow. Plain and unsweetened is best, and you can add some berries for natural sweetening to the yogurt or kefir.

Probiotic bacteria is specific to blood type and in the near future I will be delving int that with some specific recommendations. Let’s suffice it to say that for all intents and purposes, the right probiotic foods and supplements for your blood type will result in a normally functioning colon and regular bowel movements.

So if what you are doing results in normal function, then you pretty much have it right!

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Now I have something very cool to share with all of you…

Barbara Streisand is possibly the most talented performer that ever graced a stage in any time period. Yes I know that is quite an accolade, but I believe it is well earned.

There is a full concert by the incomparable Barbara Streisand on Youtube, and here is the link:

For some reason the aftermath of Labor Day seems to be a time when we get back to work (metaphorically speaking) after the lazy days of summer. Yeah I know, most of us work year round, but there is a sense of “getting back to normal” that characterizes the end of summer.

With that said, I have vowed to resurrect two of my blogs which were decimated by Google’s Panda and Penguin algorithms. My cholesterol blog will need a major re-write because new information about cholesterol and heart disease needs to be incorporated into the blog.

The simplistic “cholesterol causes heart disease” story just does not wash anymore and thus I have to change things to reflect this new knowledge. To be honest, the topic of human lipid biochemistry is very complex and beyond my understanding on a deep level.

I am going to try and boil it down to it’s essence and present simple strategies to cut the risk of heart disease across the board. This will involve a lot of research and rethinking what I thought I knew, but of course it is well worth it.

I always want to give people the read my articles the best most up to date information I can. I can however give you a few simple rules of thumb that will always be valid and effective, even as new information about cholesterol makes it’s way to the public.

Get some kind of regular exercise at least three times per week. This can be “power walking”, pushups or situps, circuit resistance training ect. This is because building and maintain lean muscle mass helps blood sugar control which protects against heart disease.

Doing these five things will go a long way toward protect you from heart disease, because they address all the underlying causes. Notice that I didn’t suggest avoiding foods that are high in cholesterol.

That’s because cholesterol does not “cause” heart disease, and the amount of cholesterol in your diet is really not an important factor in heart health. Besides, cholesterol is a vital substance that your body cannot do without.

So the bottom line is, don’t restrict cholesterol, DO eat healthy foods, reduce stress, and lower your blood sugar and you will be doing 80% of the things that are needed to prevent heart disease!

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I just watched the new Tom Cruise sci-fi film called “Oblivion” and don’t quite know why it didn’t do that well at the box office. While I thought the plot had more than it’s share of twists and was a bit convoluted, it was (to me) an enjoyable film and delivered in the action and “coolness” department.

I admit that I love sci-fi, and so found it enjoyable. If there was one thing that I could fault in this film it was that you never quite find yourself emotionally invested in the characters and storyline.

Contrast that with “Avatar” which for me WAS an emotionally engaging story! In any case, I think you will find “Oblivion” enjoyable to watch if not compelling. I think this is the look and feel of sci-fi films to come.

However what I am really looking forward to is the network TV series “Agents of Shield,” as the characters and concept are familiar to me because I read Marvel Comics as a kid!

The first episode is September 24th and I will be critiquing it at that time. Bear McCreary the man behind Battlestar Gallactica’s soundtrack will be doing the music for the show which is exciting. Well have to wait and see how it all turns out…

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This week’s clip is called “Diaspora Oratorio” from the popular TV series “Battlestar Gallactica.” Hauntingly sad and foreboding it is none the less beautiful and captivating. It captures the essence of the show which tells the story of the “diaspora” of humanity in escaping from a genocide at the hands of the artificial lifeforms they created.

Bear McCreary in writing the sountrack for the show featured an instrument called the “Duduk” which is a 3000 year old Armenian wind instrument constructed of apricot wood, which according to legend grew in the Garden of Eden.

As you know I am a sci-fi fan, but truthfully the show was during it’s run one of the most acclaimed dramatic series on television, and one of the few things I watched on a regular basis.

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This newsletter is read by people all over the world, so if you have something that you would like me to share such as music from your country or culture with the other readers, please let me know.

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Don’t Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.